Chapter 143: Destiny

Chapter 143: Destiny

What is this? Maiya said in wonder, prompting Vir to chuckle.

That was my exact reaction, Vir said. This is the real Pagan Order. It seems most other royals know that the countrys a demon sanctuary, but few know of the Undercity.

But theres so much light here! Magic isnt supposed to work. Whats going on! Maiya said, practically jumping off the lift as it touched down.

That is electricity. A form of non-magical lighting the demons here developed. They say it can have a myriad of other uses, but theyre keeping its invention a tightly guarded secret. Needless to say, none of this can reach Kinjals ears.

Of course. I have no intention of betraying anyone you consider a friend. This is just Maiya laughed softly. Just when you think youve figured the world out, it throws you a surprise like this, huh?

Right? Its miraculous. Although magic does actually work down here. But I dont think the Order would like me to divulge any more without gaining permission.

Virs eyes lingered over the electricity, admiring the flow of prana. It reminded him of Prana Channelingthe way prana flowed in an endless cycle along a pathway was similar.

At the same time, electricity felt like something more. Its ability to decouple prana from the carrier medium was something Parai hadnt been able to accomplish. Vir couldnt explain why, but it felt superior to him. More elegant.

I understand, Vir. I really do, Maiya replied. But this is so unique, she said in wonder, eyeing the variety of demons who ambled about contentedly. This truly is a demon sanctuary, isnt it? A place where they can exist without hiding who they are.

Exactly. Cmon. Let me show you around.

Vir led Maiya through the streets, showing her the analogues to the shops and homes aboveground. To his surprise, hardly anyone gave her dirty looks, despite being the only human around. Very few humans were privy to the Undercity, which meant seeing one down here was quite rare.

Maybe its Neel, he thought. The Bandy bounded up to nearly everyone, wagging his tail and looking up at them adorably. His efforts always paid off, resulting in pets and the occasional treat.

Or maybe theyre just mistaking her for a demon in disguise?

The Undercitys checkpoints required demons to remove enough face paint to confirm their identities, so most opted to go without it in the Undercity. That said, demons exiting the Undercity sometimes applied their makeup in the comfort of their homes. Either way, their tour proceeded unmolested until Vir led Maiya to the passage that led to his home.

Theres more? This place is massive, Maiya said, looking off into the distance. Her eyes had been bulging the entire time, just like Vir when hed discovered the Imperium outpost of Valaka Amara.

Vir unlocked the door with his iron key, taking a moment to appreciate its non-magical nature, and showed Maiya inside.

Welcome to my abode, Vir said, ushering Maiya to a seat by the simple wooden table, taking his place across her. Nothing like Riyans place, but better than Brij, at least.

Neel promptly took his place on the floor next to the chairs.

You bought this? Maiya asked, looking around the small space with fascination. While the bed was in a room of its own, the living and cooking areas were part of the same medium-sized space, so there wasnt much to explore.

The Order gave it to me. Seems they give homes to all demons they bring in.

Oh wow. Incredibly generous. Yknow, for most of my life, Id thought the Order was a bunch of savages living primitive lives. This non-magical lighting is simply incredible. And they even came up with it themselves? That puts them ahead of Kinjali magical Thaumaturges. They just copy the inscriptions handed down from the Age of Gods. Not like they invented magic.

Vir had always wondered about that. He figured sooner or later, someone wouldve had the itch to experiment, despite the risk. Which likely meant there was something preventing them. Some secret to the workings of magic that humans werent privy to.

The Orders medical technology is quite impressive too, Vir replied, even if a bunch of it seems dubious. Theyve found workarounds for a lot of what magic does. It might not be as effective, but it works. Usually.

I feel like the rest of the world could stand to gain by learning from them.

Agreed.

The conversation drifted off, and a silence descended upon them. A comfortable silence; Vir had never felt awkward just being near Maiya. At least, not until recently.

Youre thinking of leaving, arent you? Maiya said at last.

I am. Howd you know?

Maiya rolled her eyes. Cmon, Vir. Ive known you a long time. You always frown and stare at the ground when youre worried about something. But why, though? I can protect you!

Im afraid you cant, Maiya. He raised his hands when Maiya was about to retort. Its not your strength Im worried about. I have every faith in that. Its just

I don't understand. You worry for the demon lives that would be lost, so you don't want to stay. You don't think you can hide, so you don't want to escape with me. What else can you do? Give yourself up to Mina?

What? No, of course not.

There's another option, he thought. Though, you're not going to like that one much better.

Okay, good, Maiya said, visibly relieved. Because then I'd have to slap some sense into you.

Vir winced. Theres... something I never told you. About those voices in my head. You remember that?

Back at Riyans place, yeah. Wait, youre still hearing them? The demons that possess you?

Theyre not demons. Well, they are, but not the sort that want to possess you. Well, uh, not usually. They come out when I'm in mortal danger, and... they're not all that reliable.

Maiyas look of concern only grew deeper at his confusing explanation.

Theyre my prior incarnations, Maiya. Past versions of myself. Wed suspected as much before, but now I have proof. And they want me to go to the Ashen Realm. At all cost.

The Ash. You're kidding. No. No, you're not kidding. That's your plan? There are easier ways of killing yourself, Vir. Trust me, Ive read enough reports on Kinjals forays into the Ash to know. Only the strongest mejai and Talent wielders stand a chance, and even if the prana poisoning doesnt get you, the monsters in there are beyond the best of us. Its insanity.

Yep. I didnt even know there was anything on the other side.

This is all too much to take in, Maiya said, clutching her flowing crimson hair, tangling it up. But okay, I get why youre so bent on going to the Ashen Realm now. If a god told me to do something, Id probably do it, too. Even if it did sound suicidal.

Yeah. Well, he did guarantee I wouldnt die. At least, not by the prana poisoning. But where do I go? How do I find food to eat and water to drink? What strategys best for avoiding the worst monsters there? I dont know nearly enough.

Is there anyone here who could help? Maiya asked. Theyre demons after all. Maybe some have been to the Ash?

Theres one such person, apparently. The custodian, responsible for the tomes the Order keeps stashed here in the Undercity.

Well, what are we waiting for? Maiya said, standing up. Lets go!

I was planning on it, Vir replied, but youre okay with this? Me going to the Ash, I mean.

Ill admit I have a million concerns. But I also know that you know what youre doing. Im worried. I really am. But if thats what youve decided, Ill support you. You remember my parents note? They told us to support each other and to stick together. Maybe I cant follow you through the Ash, but I can at least help. Ive learned a thing or two from poring over Kinjal reports. And

And?

And when you eventually return, Ill be waiting. For you. No matter how long it takes, Maiya said with a blush, staring at her feet.

T-thanks Maiya.

The library wasnt difficult to find. Not only was it taller than most of the other Undercitys brick buildings, its ornate carvings and its central location at the fountain plaza made it impossible to miss.

Having left Neel at home, Vir and Maiya strolled through the open doors, but gaining access to the information they wanted proved more difficult. No matter how hard they searched, they found no trace of the custodian Badal had mentioned, so they did the next best thingfind every tome on the Ash they could, and come up with a plan.

After hours of poring through difficult-to-read wording, theyd made little progress.

This is hopeless, Maiya said. These records arent even close to the quality of the Kinjal intelligence reports. Just superstition and exaggeration. This one journal by this demon researchers the best of the bunch, and it just goes on about communing with the seven spirits.

Theres a lot of information on the monsters we might find and some on which flora can be eaten safely, but nothing in the way of the lay of the land. Its so frustrating. Not one mentions a safe path through.

That there was even food to eat in the Ash was good news. It seemed plants abounded there, fueled by the excessive prana density. Some of the tomes even mentioned water sources.

That is because such a route does not exist, a deep, growling voice thundered from behind them, causing them both to spin around.

A tall gray demon dressed in an ornate jade robe that nearly touched the ground loomed above them. Not quite a giant, but two heads taller than even Riyan. His most striking aspect, however, was his enormous white beard, well groomed and dressed, that reached nearly to his waist. His eyebrows and long hair were similarly white, with his hair being tied back into a ponytail.

He glared at the two with the same piercing red eyes Vir had, but when he spied Vir, his expression softened and his posture slackened. Where before he had the aura of a fierce warrior, now he looked like a stern uncle.

A gray demon? Quite rare indeed. What brings you to my library?

Sir, Vir said, subconsciously treating the demon with deference, I need to cross the Ashen Realm.

Vir flushed even before he'd finished his sentence. The librarian's long, silent regard only made it worse.

This was dumb. He'll think I'm crazy.

Then you have come to the right place. I am Amarat. Some call me Amarat the Immortal. Immortal because I once braved the Ash and returned to tell the tale.

Youve been through the Ash Vir breathed in disbelief. And you survived?

Now that is a tale indeed. I would not wish that place upon my worst enemy. Though it was decades ago, the nightmares still plague my dreams. Only fools dare venture there.

If theres any way, then I must, Vir said. There was fear in his voice. Fear and determination. Just a few hours ago, hed decided to remain with the Order, to aid their cause. But now it wasn't so simple. Lives were at stake.

Even if he made peace with that somehow, Vir knew he was merely delaying the inevitable. That one day, he would find his way to the Ash. Janak's words would continue to gnaw at him, if Ekanai didnt force him first.

To Vir's surprise, exploring the viability of venturing through the blighted realm brought on a sense of relief. Like a great weight had been lifted.

Like the weight of expectation. It was an errant thought, gone in an instant. But there was something there. A deep-seated fear, and not only of Ekanai.

Vir recalled how Reth, Disanna, and even Zora had looked at him, once he'd divulged his tale.

Awe. Reverence.

It was how he imagined most demons would react. Those who were aware of that oral tale, anyway.

They weren't just looking for a warrior. They were looking for a champion. For the being from their legends. The Primordial.

What would that mean for Vir? What would it entail?

He didn't know, but the notion terrified him. He couldn't say why.

There is a way through that infernal realm, Amarat said, interrupting his thoughts.

Will you tell me? Vir asked. He still couldn't say which path he'd choose in the endbut perhaps Amarat's words would guide him.

Oh yes, I shall tell you. And then we can discuss the dozen ways you will die before ever reaching it.